India likely to pitch for policies to stimulate employment

NEW DELHI: India is likely to pitch for policies that stimulate the employment market at Global Jobs Crisis Summit in Geneva beginning on Monday.

A high-level delegation led by Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge is attending the meet along with several Heads of State.

Sources in the Labour Ministry said, "India is likely to seek policies that stimulate the employment market at the meet where the agenda would mostly revolve around measures being implemented at the national and international level to address the crisis."

Kharge, who had assumed charge last month, had said his major priority would be to "tackle problem of job losses arising out of recession."

The Labour Ministry had revealed early this year that five lakh people lost their jobs in October-December quarter last year as the economic downturn was becoming more pronounced.

More recently, the Commerce Ministry has also said that export sectors in India would be the worst hit due to the recession.

According to ILO representatives here, about nine Heads of State and Government, six Vice-presidents, labour ministers and leaders of employers' and workers' organisations are expected to attend the three-day summit.